Updated: October 25, 2020 11:51:26 am
Mandeep Singh in action in the UAE (Source: BCCI)
On Saturday night, as Kings XI Punjab hitter Mandeep Singh prepared to open the tickets against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the International Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it was an exciting ride for him to the 22-yard field. Jalandhar’s right-hander had lost his father, 68-year-old former track coach Hardev Singh, on Friday night and attended the last rites via video call on Saturday afternoon.
The Kings XI Punjab team took to the field wearing black armbands to mourn the death of Hardev Singh, a former sports official from the Punjab sports department district who had been suffering from a liver infection and was on respiratory support at a Mohali hospital where he was breathing last .
On Saturday, Mandeep played a 17-run hit with 14 balls. While social media praised Mandeep’s dedication and courage, his older brother Harvinder Singh said it was the hardest decision the Punjab hitter had ever made.
Last night we informed Mandeep about our father’s death. He was inconsolable, but said later, “I’ll play the game because that’s what Dad would have liked to see.” It was difficult for Mandeep today, but we are sure our father would have been watching him play from heaven, ”said Harvinder Singh (36), who had also been a cricketer.
Mandeep Singh (left) with Father Hardev Singh and Brother Harvinder Singh (right) in Jalandhar above. express image
“Our father loved sports and spent his entire life training athletes. Initially, like any other parent, he was against Mandeep turning to cricket. But once Mandeep showed his brilliance playing for youth teams, he supported Mandeep more than anyone else. He would always make sure to see every Mandeep entry. It brought him the greatest joy, ”added Harvinder.
Mandeep, who started playing cricket at Burlton Park in Jalandhar, used to train with Harvinder. Mandeep became the vice-captain of the Indian U19 team at the ICC U19 World Cup in 2010. The same year, he was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders at IPL before being picked up by Kings XI Punjab in 2011. In 2012, Mandeep was declared the rising star of the IPL with a total of 432 runs in 16 games. Saturday’s game was Mandeep’s 101st in the IPL and the batter has scored a total of 1,579 runs so far. According to Harvinder, watching Mandeep debut for India against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2016 remained Hardev Singh’s fondest memory. “Our father always told us to focus on fitness. He had been a long distance runner in his youth. He also ran with us at Burlton Park Stadium, where we stayed at the government premises. He used to be a fast bowler and often threw Mandeep into nets. Our father was very happy when Mandeep wore the vice-captain jacket for the U19 World Cup. He never missed any of Mandeep’s games on television, ”Harvinder said.
While Mandeep joined the Kings XI Punjab camp in the United Arab Emirates two months ago and has been on biobubbles, Hardev Singh, who had been suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, was admitted to Jalandhar hospital on October 14 after his health deteriorated. The family took Hardev Singh to a hospital in Mohali earlier this week. The 68-year-old also had surgery before he was put on the ventilator. “I suffered from cirrhosis of the liver for some time, but the condition worsened last month before the ulcers appeared, leading to liver and kidney infection. We took him to Mohali earlier this week and he underwent surgery as the infection had spread. He was on respiratory support for the last two days before he passed away. The cremation took place on Saturday and the fireworks will be done once Mandeep returns after the IPL, ”said Harvinder.
.
